MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT TUAPEKA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 74, 10 February 1862, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT TUAPEKA.

MAQIHTEBIAL INyUIItr BT MAJOR CKuKBII, .B.M. An inquest was held oil Friday, at Tuapeka, on the body of John Jiurton, who was* found dead under rather strange circumstances. A jury having been impanelled, Cornelius Egan deposed that he was a | drivei of the escort cart, ami that he had known the i deceased for two or three years in (Jeelong, Victoria. He arrived at Dunedin on the 2yth of October, per Frederic, fioin lieeloii;;. lie had always known the { deceased as a sober niau, and believed lie had mates ! working at the Waitahuna diggings. Did in it think he had much money when he arrived, in Otago.—James Culiingfird stated that he came from Geeloag with the deceased, but had only known liiin on board ship by the name of " Jack."" Recollected seeing him about two days after arriving in Duuedin, br.t had not seen him since that time until he saw his dead body. Always knew htm t.o be a sober iu:tn. —John Whyatt, baker, ha I, on Thursday morning, at about hall-past 5, seen the deceased lying on his f;;ce in a stream of watvU', not i' 6 iueues deep. He was passing the place with his bread cart, and observed that, although the head of the deceased was covered with water, his back and feet were quite dry. He did not touch the bo<.;y or make any inquiry.—Thomas Hamscth visited the place wueie the body was lying, and found marks as though deceased had mis.-;ed his foo'ing. There was a miner's tent about six yards from the place where the deceased was found. Did not know the deceased. — John Swain, constable, had, in conse uienee of information received, proceeded to the vicinity of the Junction, and there found the deceased lyin;,' on his facs, in a small stream of water, with his arms underneath him, and his han.s tightly clenched. The spot where he was found was about four yards from the crossing placl, and an equal distance from a miner s tent. Had gone to this tent, but could tin.l no one in it. On the person of the decea.se-.! he found a moleskin pur.se, containing nine sovereigns, one £■> note, two £i notes, and i!s. in silver. In one of his pocket*' he also found a sovereign, i2s. in silver, and two de posit receipts on tha Ba.ik of New Suuch Wales, one for £50, and the other for £20. There were various other documents found on his person, inchi ing two bills of sale of horses, from Joseph Firly, of Getl.mg. to J. Burton, of the same place. Jla-1 found the horse* and brought th \m with the dray to the Junction. Could not glean any further information, or find aiiy one who had soon the deceased on the evening preceding his death. Richard Close deposed thnt he wns a duly qualified medical practitioner, and had examined the body. Could not tin.l any marks of violence upon his person, and believed tli.it deceased had met his death by ill-owning while iv a state of intoxi'-atiun. On bei»n j asked how he cainc to this conclusion, he stated thai j oupressinirthe stomach a inucimsfi»thappe_aiieJ at the mouth. wHich smelt strongly of ardent spirits. He hats 1 not modes post mortem. Major Croker then mentioned tlv.it as the evidence wms very inconclusive, he should | order a post mortem to be made on the body of the deceases!, and in the meantime the police would endeavor to obtain further information. Later in the evening ho would again call the jury together. A lit Je after G p.m. the jury met, when Dr. Close stated that he had opened the deceased, found his liver greatly enlarged, and other symptoms of disease engendered by previous habits of drinking. He had no doubt but that deceased was drowned while in a state of intoxication. A verdict was accordingly, returned of accidental death by drowning.